Nick Hernandez / OregonLive.comPortland Timbers fans may have the chance to see archrivals Seattle and Vancouver twice each at home during the 2012 regular season.

With Montreal joining MLS and being placed in the Eastern Conference, the league decided to alter its regular season schedule for 2012.

The league's 19 teams - 10 in the East, nine in the West - will play an unbalanced schedule that emphasizes in-conference play for the upcoming season, the league announced Sunday. The total number of games will remain at 34, but Western Conference teams will play each other three times in 2012, compared to two games 2012. And the West teams will play Eastern Conference teams once in 2012 instead of twice as in 2011.

“This regular season will include more games between regional rivals and less total travel than we have seen in recent years," said Nelson Rodriguez, MLS executive vice president. "Because of the wide geographic distribution of MLS clubs, this structure should improve the quality of play, while continuing to give every club an equal chance of qualifying for the MLS Cup Playoffs.”

The new format means the Timbers will play Cascadia rivals Seattle and Vancouver three times in 2012. Portland will play those two opponents either twice at home and once away or twice away and once at home. The location arrangement will be reversed in 2013.

"Having to play Seattle three times and Vancouver three times, I think there are definite benefits for our fans and teams within our conference," Portland general manager Gavin Wilkinson said.

All of the West clubs will complete their schedule by playing each of the 10 Eastern Conference teams once. Five of the games will be at home and five will be on the road. The location arrangement will be reversed in 2013.

How the new format will affect the Timbers and their quest for a playoff berth in 2012 remains in question. The West is the stronger conference - Kansas City's East-leading 51 points would have placed them fourth in the West - and the Timbers will face a much tougher schedule of opponents.

"Having to play these teams and actually doing well against these teams will put us in a good (position) to hopefully make the playoffs," Wilkinson said.